"A bullet for a bullet is real response": Former Punjab DGP Virk backs Centre's retaliation against Pakistan

India Gazette

12-05-2025

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], May 12 (ANI): Former Punjab Director General of Police SS Virk on Monday praised the Centre's decision to launch Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in the aftermath opf Pahalgam terror attack, calling it 'absolutely appropriate.'
Virk said that the operation sent a strong message to Pakistan that disrupting peace and development in Kashmir would not be tolerated.
Virk told ANI, 'In my opinion, the decision taken by the Government of India to carry out the attack was appropriate. They have sent a clear message to Pakistan that what you orchestrated through your proxies on April 22 was a very wrong step.'
He praised the central government for tit-for-tat approach, responding to Pakistan's provocations with equal or greater force.
'A bullet for a bullet, this is the real response. These terrorist elements can only be controlled when they realise that they will be hit hard, and without mercy.'
He noted that Kashmir was experiencing economic growth and development, which Pakistan sought to disrupt.
'You attacked our innocent and unarmed people. You disturbed the process of peace and development in Kashmir. You killed 26 innocent people there,' added Virk.
India's 'Operation Sindoor', launched on May 7 in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, has marked a significant milestone in the country's fight against terrorism, achieving multiple strategic objectives while sending a global message of resolve, as per sources.
Virk said the Indian retaliation at 'multiple places, at 9 or 10 different locations, at air bases and terrorist camps, has caused even more damage to them.'
He questioned the presence of Pakistani military and police's decision offering funeral prayers for the LeT terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor.
He added, 'If you had no hand, then why are the clips of the terrorists that are emerging showing officers standing beside them, praying and performing funeral prayers? Why are they being given cover there?'
Notably, Pakistan's government has consistently denied supporting terrorist groups like LeT, yet high-ranking military and police officials participated in funeral prayers for the terrorists.
Virk even drew parallels to the 2008 Mumbai attacks. 'Just like in 2008, during the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan denied any involvement. But once Kasab was caught alive, the entire conspiracy was exposed.'
He added, 'If you recall, Pakistan always tries to present itself as innocent, as if it's completely clean. But where was Osama bin Laden, the world's most notorious terrorist, caught? He was living in Pakistan.'
Virk said that even today, operatives of international terrorist organisations are 'hiding in Pakistan.'
He said that the peace process in Kashmir, including employment for locals and increased tourism, had been disrupted.
'Those military officers in Kashmir, where a process of peace and prosperity had begun, Pakistan couldn't tolerate that. There are many such forces they have readied who carried out this act just to disturb that progress, and it delivered a huge blow to Kashmir's peace and development,' he said.
He supported India's retaliation, saying, 'India has given a very appropriate response, that we will not tolerate such audacity. If you harm our innocent people, then as the Prime Minister said, 'We will destroy you, wipe you out.' (ANI)